Kawhi Leonard predicted to join Miami Heat in blockbuster draft trade

Although the Los Angeles Clippers had an opportunity to play their way into the NBA Playoffs, Kawhi Leonard and company failed to reach the postseason, falling to the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament. The team traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in the season, receiving former All-Star Darius Garland in return. While the Clippers failed to reach the playoffs, Harden is playing in Game 7 for a chance to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. It was a disappointing end to another season for Leonard, who previously won championships with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors. It appears that it won't happen in Los Angeles, unless the Clippers decide to keep Leonard and add another major star to the roster. According to Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, the Clippers could arrange a blockbuster trade, but it would involve sending Leonard to another team: the Miami Heat. Buckley indicates in his prediction that the Heat would send Tyler Herro to the Clippers, who would likely be in rebuild mode. The Clippers would also receive Andrew Wiggins and the Heat's No. 13 pick, which they would use to select Tennessee's Nate Ament. In addition, Miami would send the Clippers their 2030 first-round pick (top-four protected) and a 2031 first-round pick swap. In exchange, the Heat would add Leonard, as well as Derrick Jones Jr. and the No. 36 pick in June's NBA Draft. It would be a headline-making trade that would send Leonard to the fourth team in his career. After starting his career with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2018, where he spent one season, winning 60 games, another NBA Championship, and another Finals MVP. After adding a second ring and award, Leonard, a free agent, chose to sign with his hometown team, the Los Angeles Clippers, where he's spent the past six seasons. They reached the playoffs in his first five, but failed to do so this year, leading to questions about his next move. The Heat were also close to playing their way into one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. However, they lost Bam Adebayo to an injury on a controversial Lamelo Ball play during their play-in game against the Charlotte Hornets and ultimately lost in overtime. Adding Leonard to a roster with Bam Adebayo, who scored 81 points in a game this past season, would certainly be an intriguing move. Leonard continues to play at an All-Star level, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this past season. At times, many considered him a contender for the NBA MVP Award for the way he powered the Clippers throughout the season. Adding Leonard to Miami would likely put them into the mix for the Eastern Conference playoffs, as the former Raptors star has shown he can lead a squad with the right talent to a championship. For more about the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.